Football Apr 20, 2026

Birmingham City 2-0 Wrexham: Promotion hopes for Phil Parkinson's side fading following defeat at St Andrew's

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Birmingham City 2-0 Wrexham: Promotion hopes for Phil Parkinson's side fading following defeat at St Andrew's

Birmingham City cruised to a 2-0 win at St Andrew's to puncture Wrexham's hopes of a Championship play-off place.

Wrexham had the opportunity to move within two points of Hull City in sixth with a win but squandered the chance with a sloppy and lacklustre display against a Birmingham outfit who were short on form heading into the encounter.

Chris Davies' side had lost three games in a row but controlled the game from the first whistle to snap that streak, with Wrexham offering little in the form of a response.

Vicente came close to breaking the deadlock before half-time after pouncing on a loose ball and racing in behind the defence, only to be denied by one of Arthur Okonkwo's six saves.

The winger took just four minutes after the restart to atone for the miss, however, after racing across George Thomason at the back post to latch onto Kai Wagner's cross and plant his header into the top right corner.

An error from Okonkwo after failing to claim a corner then allowed Christoph Klarer to tap home a second from close range to secure the win for Birmingham, their first in over a month.

Back-to-back defeats for Wrexham, following a dismal 5-1 loss to fellow promotion hopefuls Southampton, mean a four-point gap now separates them from the top six with four games to go.

Birmingham's Chris Davies:

"It was one of our best performances of the season, one of our best wins. We were very aggressive, first to the ball and played quickly.

"I don't think they had a shot on goal. A thoroughly dominant performance, the players had a lot in them today and pushed hard.

"It's an unforgiving league so we have to stay humble. I like what I've seen in the spirit and fight."

"Do we need a big finish to the season to alleviate pressure? Possibly, I don't know. I have felt the pressure since the very first day. I am used to it. We go for every match."

Wrexham's Phil Parkinson:

"The first half was a competitive game. We expected them to go direct, but he [Chris Davies] changed how they played.

"We grew into it without taking care of our final pass. We were right in the game but the goals we conceded were so soft that it defined the game.

"We were right in the game in the first half. They were aggressive and went forward quickly. The goals have really hurt us today.

"I am never going to be critical of individuals; it is all about the team. They are just moments. In those two moments, it is really poor from our point of view.

"Goalscoring over the season hasn't been a problem; we have always been a threat. But today we didn't, in the second half we just couldn't find a way through.

"The game was defined in moments where, in defending, we should have done better.

"We are still in the mix. It's not over."

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

Elliot Anderson: Man City believe they have won race to sign England midfielder - Paper Talk and football transfer gossip

Elliot Anderson: Man City believe they have won race to sign England midfielder - Paper Talk and football transfer gossip

The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday's newspapers... Manchester City believe they have won the race to sign Manchester United, Chelsea...

Jermain Defoe: How did new Woking manager fare in his first two games in charge of National League club?

Jermain Defoe: How did new Woking manager fare in his first two games in charge of National League club?

A six-goal thriller followed by a lifeless stalemate - Jermain Defoe experienced the full rollercoaster of management during his first weekend at Woki...

Miracle of Mirassol: Rafael Guanaes ready for Copa Libertadores bid after Football Manager inspired success in Brazil

Miracle of Mirassol: Rafael Guanaes ready for Copa Libertadores bid after Football Manager inspired success in Brazil

As the Copa Libertadores returns for 2026, even Brazilian football aficionados could be forgiven a double take when they peruse the list of teams. The...

Aaron Ramsey retires: Former Arsenal and Wales midfielder announces end of two-decade playing career

Aaron Ramsey retires: Former Arsenal and Wales midfielder announces end of two-decade playing career

Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement from football, bringing the curtain down on a 20-year playing career.The 35-year-old made more than 250 Prem...

Joey Barton: Ex-footballer denies assault outside golf club

Joey Barton: Ex-footballer denies assault outside golf club

Former footballer Joey Barton has denied assaulting a man outside a golf club.The 43-year-old, wearing a grey zip-up fleece and with glasses on, appea...

EFL latest: Frank Lampard, Alex Neil and Kim Hellberg all nominated for manager of the year in end of season awards

EFL latest: Frank Lampard, Alex Neil and Kim Hellberg all nominated for manager of the year in end of season awards

Frank Lampard, Alex Neil, Sergej Jakirovic and Kim Hellberg have been shortlisted for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season Award at the 2026 EFL...